Crafty

In preparation for Halloween, the fiancé and I went to Michael’s craft store to buy some felt. The boy has decided to make his costume (aka have his sister make his costume) this year. I’ve seen some really great homemade costumes, but not since college have I gone the makeshift route. And when I think of the costume I bought this year, I realize that I definitely could have made it for cheaper, with a little time and creativity.

But I’ve neglected my crafty-mojo. Gone are the days of friendship bracelets and lanyards, of bottled sand and beaded necklaces, of ceramic bowls and finger paints. What happened to that little girl who had a craft corner in her bed room, who would make collages from pictures and old magazines, who repainted the little table she made in technology class not once but twice, who used nail polish to paint the knobs on her dresser? I was not the best artist in the world, but when I took time to create, sometimes I created some nice things.

But I haven’t lost my creativity. I have channeled it into my work, my writing, my ideas. I have become a creative cook. I love to experiment and create. But I spend more of my creativity sitting in front of a computer typing away (case in point). My hands haven’t felt the stickiness of rubber cement in I don’t know how long. Walking through the aisles of Michael’s made me crave the tangible creative. I need more than my words, it seems.

But similar to my lack of being able to go on a road trip without a destination in mind, I can’t create just for the sake of creating. I need to create something meaningful and useful. Mommy and Daddy aren’t going to be hanging my artwork up on the refrigerator. So what to create? I have not yet decided. Perhaps something for my home, or for my wedding, or for my office? I’m not quite sure, but I know some time soon I am going to feed my creative spirit and embrace the craftiness I’ve known was there all along.